WAYNESBORO — Youth was well-served in the 2012 season. Now, to find a number one scorer for 2013.

Leading scorer Jesse Smith will be graduating in the spring. Smith scored a team-high nine goals during the season and was followed by sophomores Camry Huff and Mason Benchoff with four each.

The Waynesboro Indians boys soccer team finished 6-11-1 during the season but struggled with a 2-9-1 record in the Mid-Penn Colonial Division. The Tribe, which comes into each season with loads of potential, has been slowed by some easily-remedied problems.

"The season was disappointing to some degree in that I thought we gave up too many easy goals," said head coach Doug Beckner. "We had several goals scored by our opponents because we weren't focused — goals scored in less than a minute after we scored, easy breakaways because we overplayed the man."

Beckner added that goal scoring also was an issue for Waynesboro, which was outscored 31-27 during the season. Other than that, Beckner said he "thought we were a very improved as a team compared to the last several with similar records."

Indeed, the team's young players stepped up their game and helped the Indians put together solid games even in defeat. Waynesboro lost some close games and won some close games, including a 1-0 overtime thriller against James Buchanan at Indian Stadium. Bolstered by extraordinary goalkeeping by senior Kris Settlage (who finished with 85 saves), the Tribe edged the Rockets on a goal in overtime by Benchoff with 3:49 left in the 10-minute period.

At the other end of the spectrum were a pair of 1-0 losses to Greencastle-Antrim, a 1-0 setback to Big Spring and 2-1 losses to Boiling Springs and Fairfield.

A 7-2 win against Big Spring in the season opener showed what things could be like when the team clicks in all facets of the game. Smith scored three goals and four other players scored for the Indians.

"I'm happy where we're at," Beckner said after the game. "But we're going to Gettysburg and that will tell you where we're at."

Waynesboro lost to eventual Mid-Penn Colonial Division champion Gettysburg and lost twice more before eking out a 1-0 win against Northern York on a goal by Smith that started with a corner kick by sophomore John Whittington with fellow sophomore Pat Minnick getting the first touch on the ball. Ethan Mohn, yet another sophomore, directed the ball to Smith, who reached high with his foot and made contact for his fourth goal of the season with 10:44 remaining in the game.

A strong defense helped Waynesboro keep the losses close and prevented other teams from getting in other games.

"We were anchored by second team Mid-Penn Colonial player Quinton Perry (a junior)," Beckner said. "The midfield, for the first time in several years other than the first Gettysburg game, controlled the center of the field. We also had considerable depth. We were 16 players strong this year and we didn't see a big difference when we substituted. Our work ethic was definitely a strength. This was the hardest working team I've had and the most disciplined.

Page 2 of 2 - "Our three seniors — Jesse Smith, Kris Settlage and Elliiot Bonner — finished with great seasons. Jesse had nine goals and was first team Mid-Penn Colonial Player."

On the flip side was something that will be a strength next season.

"We were a young team. Our division had a lot of senior-laden teams. Greencastle-Antrim started 10 and several will be graduating five or six players, most of them starters," Beckner said. "We have to be able to play under constant pressure. At times we got very rattled when put under heavy pressure."

Beckner looks forward to the 2013 season with understandable excitement.

"We only lose three players and the skill level is high," he said. "We will be able to work more on formations, positions and not the fundamentals. We have to come into the season even more prepared than we were this year. We have a great returning group with several junior varsity players ready to step in for the outgoing seniors with even greater bench depth than what we had this year."